Zambia/Mozambique: It’s Time to Roll the Dice

Ignatius Mazeko

4 June 2011

THE Zambia soccer team walks on the turf of Chingola’s Nchanga stadium to breathe more hope into soccer fans itching for victory over the Mambas of Mozambique in this afternoon’s Orange 2012 Gabon/Equatorial Guinea Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifying series.

Many have already described this encounter as a make-or-break affair, coming after the Zambians beat Mozambique 0-2 at home in the corresponding match at Machava Stadium on March 23 to leapfrog the mambas into second position. But that was then.

Zambia now has six points from three matches and are in second position but the Chipolopolo need nothing less than victory today to keep further pressure on Libya, who lead the group by a point.

While the Mozambicans have refused to cross the Zambezi River for nothing, a more emphatic refusal came from Zambia coach Dario Bonetti to accept any loss and start calibrating for him to qualify when the obvious option is simply to win today’s match with ease.

He said he is positive his players will put up an impressive performance and carry the day against the Mambas because they understand the importance of the match and the need for Zambia to maximize on home advantage.

“We are ready for the game. We know that anything can happen in football that is why we have done our part by working hard in training. Our aim is to win on Saturday so that we increase our chances of qualifying to the Africa Cup,” Bonetti said.

Anything less than a win will all but reduce Zambia’s chances of making it to the 28th edition of the Africa Cup which will be held from January 21 to February 12, considering that Libya will be out to get three points off hapless Comoros Islands who have lost all their three matches.

Bonetti has been preaching hard work from mid last week when the team set up camp in Kitwe at Moba Hotel and shaping up from MTN Premier League side Power Dynamos’ Arthur Davies Stadium.

Bonetti, who was expected to name his final 18-man squad from a strong field of 26 players yesterday after an afternoon training session at Arthur Davies, said going by preparations and the arrival of all the players summoned for the encounter, victory was certain for Chipolopolo.

His assistant and Lucky Msiska’s successor Honour Janza said in an interview shortly before the team’s final training session that all was set for the match and that the team was ready to deliver.

Janza, who led the Zambia Under-20 squad to Metropolitan COSAFA Cup triumph two years ago, has since appealed for maximum support from fans who will make the crowd at Nchanga Stadium.

“They just have to support the team to the fullest. It is not an easy game because there is no easy game in modern soccer. They have to support the team and give them the courage to get good results. On our part, we just have to apply ourselves,” Janza said.

Bonetti is likely to take a gamble upfront by starting with unfit Young Boys of Switzerland striker, Emmanuel Mayuka, who was a late substitute in Maputo and scorer of the second, to partner Collins Mbesuma of South Africa’s Lamontville Golden Arrows, in the absence of Mulenga, Chamanga and Singuluma.

Elsewhere it is unlikely that the Italian will take a similar gamble in defender to feature Chintu Kampamba, who has been battling with a calf injury from the time he joined camp from BIDVest Wits of South Africa.

Kampamba’s absence in the heart of defence will give room for Francis Kasonde of Saudi side Al Hazm to partner TP Mazembe midfielder-cum-defender Stopilla Sunzu while Justin Zulu of Israeli outfit Hapoel Rishon LeZion is tipped to make his Chipolopolo debut as a holding midfielder.

Zulu, who has been impressive in training, will form a midfield partnership with in-form Isaac Chansa of Orlando Pirates while skipper, Chris Katongo of Skoda Xanthi and TP Mazembe’s Rainford Kalaba will operate from the flanks.

Free State Stars skipper Kennedy Mweene will continue to maintain his first choice status in goal with Joseph Musonda of Golden Arrows and Zesco United’s Nyambe Mulenga taking up the wingback positions.

Interestingly, Mozambique coach Mart Nooji is bubbling with confidence, saying the Mambas will edge Zambia who will be without the services of injured key strikers, Jacob Mulenga, James Chamanga, Given Singuluma and midfielder Noah Chivuta, who is serving a one match suspension.

Dutchman Nooji said in an interview upon arrival at Ndola International Airport on Thursday after a one week training stint in Johannesburg that it was by virtue of sheer luck that Zambia managed to pull a win in Maputo.

“We have been preparing seriously for this game during our training camp in South Africa,” said Nooji, who qualified Mozambique to their fourth Africa Cup appearance last year in Angola where the team was eliminated in the group stage.

Nooji will count on the experience of veteran Dario Monteiro, who was equally a late substitute in Maputo, to unsettle Zambia’s backline by supplementing attacking efforts from Jerry, Momed Handy, Genito, Dominguez and Miro.

Possible lines-up:

Zambia – Kennedy Mweene, Nyambe Mulenga, Joseph Musonda, Francis Kasonde, Stopilla Sunzu, Justin Zulu, Chris Katongo, Isaac Chansa, Emmanuel Mayuka, Collins Mbesuma, Rainford Kalaba.

Mozambique – Joao Kampango, Mano, Mexer, Dario Khan, Paito, Miro, Dominguez, Genito, Momed Hady, Dario Monteiro, Jerry.

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